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Carmina Mancenon: Global changemaker

By on February 27, 2010
Late January,  world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland for high- level talks at the World Economic Forum as the emerging Global Changemakers, composed of young social activists from around the world,  pitched innovative solutions to ailing social issues  from  poverty and health, to education and environment.  What is a Global Changemaker? The British Council defines a Global Changemaker as a "young community activist, volunteer worker or social entrepreneur operating through a range of national and international networks, who is able to influence his or her community as well as speak to authority with confidence and passion."  (www.global-changemakers.net)

Carefully hand-picked by the British Council under its Global Changemaker programme, from among 1,200 applicants to present her ideas before the world’s movers and shakers, was Carmina Mancenon, a 16-year-old social activist and Filipino student at K International School.  Currently enjoying special media attention soon after her return to Tokyo, Carmina received praise for the inspiring presentation she rendered on alleviating poverty and promoting climate change through a project she named, "Stitch Tomorrow". The youth-led initiative aims to create fashion lines, a subject of her interest, and bring together privileged and underprivileged teenagers by creating apparel out of recycled material.  Going forward, Carmina and her Stitch team will be mentoring teens in Jakarta this year, with plans to move on to Manila next.

When asked about how her presentation went,  Carmina gave a giddy nod. "I was really happy about how it was received!  Other groups gave us advice and requests, so I was able to learn things from people who cared and were willing to support my project."  Much of the support she gets comes from her network of peers, with over a thousand members joining the Facebook group  she created in just a week – and the number is still increasing.  "Hopefully, the line will be up sometime at the end of this year," she added.

A devoted activist, her experience living in two contrasting environments triggered her passion to do something for the underprivileged. "Until I was 7, I lived in Japan. I was so used to this serene, technologically-advanced, privileged atmosphere.  It was only when I moved to the Philippines did I realize that there were less-fortunate children in the world than I was.  As a youth, when [you’re] exposed to these harsh realities, it’s really hard not to delve into it because it’s an uncomfortable reality that this generation doesn’t want to deal with. So, we might as well just change it as soon as possible," said the young student.

K International School guidance counselor Michael Wagner said of Carmina, "She’s a marvelous student.  Her activism is a reflection of the school. The IB requires community service hours, but Carmina really cares about what she’s supposed to do, and that she’s supposed to do it."

Explaining that that is the norm for most students at the school, he added that a KIST-bred learner is "already focused, academically confident and intellectual." The school operates on an inquiry-based approach, where students learn primarily via their own determination and research. As such, almost all of the students challenge themselves by taking the IB programs while being involved in their own charitable work and extra-curricular activities.

With a demanding schedule like Carmina’s, how does she juggle it all? "I think the important thing about activism is that you can tie it into something you’re interested in. The reason I’m able to balance things is because the activism I’m involved in, especially ‘Stitch Tomorrow’,  involves fashion, which I like. That’s sort of my playtime.  Whatever it is you’re interested in – be it fashion or breakdancing, music or art – there’s always a way to incorporate that into activism or entrepreneurship. My friend, also a Changemaker, is a breakdancer.  He uses breakdancing to fight criminality in his neighborhood."

To others her age, she advises: "Don’t be afraid to try out what you love in a new light. You’ll find that you learn so much of yourself, and you’re not just helping out yourself but others as well."


INFO
Check out "Stitch Tomorrow" online.
www.stitchtomorrow.org         www.twitter.com/StitchTomorrow
 
K International School
Tel: (03) 3642-9993
E-mail: info@kist.ed.jp
www.kist.ed.jp
 
If you have an interesting story on someone who has made or is making a positive contribution to the community, please write to us at info@tokyofamilies.com
 
Photos © World Economic Forum / swiss-image.ch

About Martin Leroux